If you’re interested to help others but unclear on where to start, summer is the perfect season to get the ball rolling. Regardless of where you’re based, summertime has no shortage of ways to make impactful changes. Whether you’re looking to work with people directly or remotely affect change, there are plenty of ways for you to make a difference. Anyone looking to step up to the plate and bring about positive change this summer should consider the following options.
Donate Blood
A single blood donation can help save lives. As such, anyone looking for an impactful way to help others that won’t eat up too much time should give blood donation some serious consideration. Furthermore, you’re unlikely to have trouble finding donation centers in your area. So, if you’re interested in giving blood or are curious about the different types of donation, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of these centers.
Volunteer Your Time at Local Shelters and Soup Kitchens
In all likelihood, the homeless shelters and soup kitchens in your area are on hunt for enthusiastic volunteers. So, if you have the time, energy and drive to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate, such volunteer opportunities are worth considering. Although your exact duties are likely to vary from place to place, you should expect to play a role in meal prep, donation processing and helping new residents become acclimated.
If you lack the free time to volunteer in earnest, you can still provide aid to local shelters and soup kitchens in the form of clothing, food and monetary donations. Anything you’re able to give is sure to be appreciated.
Assist with Local Cleanup Efforts
No matter where you live, there’s likely to be at least a few areas of your city or township that could stand to be cleaner. So, if you know of any parks, playgrounds, neighborhoods or forested areas that are plagued by litter, why not organize a local cleanup effort? Fortunately, in the age of social media and online message boards, putting together a cleanup effort couldn’t be easier.
Posting about any cleanup efforts you’re organizing on social media and community-focused websites can be a great way to generate interest and get your fellow citizens on board. Furthermore, if such posts are widely shared, you’re liable to see quite a few volunteers step forward to assist you.
If you’re overwhelmed by the prospect of organizing a cleanup effort – or simply lack the bandwidth to do so – consider taking part in cleanup efforts organized by other citizens, local charities or small businesses. If you’re unclear on where to find such efforts, simply consult local message boards, community-focused Facebook pages and community-based social media platforms.
Show Some Love to Local Seniors
When searching for opportunities to assist local seniors, you’re unlikely to come up short. For starters, many rest homes and senior centers are always accepting volunteers for a variety of tasks. From helping with meal prep to organizing group outings to just spending time with seniors, volunteers will find no shortage of ways to assist the elderly.
Even if you lack the time and/or energy to formally volunteer, there are numerous ways you can help elderly friends, relatives and neighbors. For example, if any of the seniors in your life are unable to drive, you can help them out by taking them on errands – or simply running errands in their place.
Additionally, if you know any seniors who have trouble with modern technology, you can do them a great service by teaching them how to use smartphones, computers and other essential devices. With immunocompromised seniors being at high risk for COVID-19, the ability to grocery shop and complete other errands remotely can be a tremendous boon to their overall safety.
Few things are more satisfying than facilitating positive change in the lives of others. So, if you’ve been thinking about taking part in charitable causes, why not get the ball rolling this summer? In all likelihood, your local community has ample opportunities for giving back – it’s simply a matter of knowing where to look. If you’re currently on the fence with regard to which causes to pursue, give some consideration to the options discussed above.
